Lagerstroemia plant named ‘JBG 19101’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct Lagerstroemia plant having red colored flowers with dark colored foliage and a large growth habit.

Botanical classification: Lagerstroemia hybrid.

Varietal denomination: ‘JBG 19101’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct Lagerstroemia hybrid plant having the varietal name ‘JBG 19101’. The new variety is the result of a planned breeding program with the purposes of developing Lagerstroemia plants with intense colored foliage and large, dark colored flowers with an upright growth habit. ‘JBG 19101’ is the result of a cross conducted in Decatur, Ala. between a L. indica x L. limii variety referred to as ‘IP-LIL-79’ (female parent, unpatented) and the unnamed result of a cross between L. indica varieties named ‘Embers’ and ‘Ebony Fire’ (both believed unpatented) as the male parent. The new variety was selected in 2017 in Decatur, Ala. and the first asexual reproduction of the new variety was conducted by vegetative cuttings in July of 2017 in Decatur, Ala. ‘JBG 19101’ has been trial and field tested and has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics and remain true to type through successive propagations. The present invention has not been evaluated under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary with variations in environment without a change in the genotype of the plant.

‘JBG 19101’ is similar to its female parent in vigor, but its female parent exhibits green foliage and pink colored flowers. Similar to its male parent, ‘JBG 19101’ has dark colored foliage and red colored flowers. However, ‘JBG 19101’ is more vigorous in growth than its male parent and exhibits an improved foliage texture.

When ‘JBG 19101’ is compared to L. indica variety ‘Tuscarora’ (believed unpatented), both varieties exhibit vigorous plant growth and development, improved Cercospora leaf spot and powdery mildew resistance, and long flowering cycles (from spring through fall). However, ‘JBG 19101’ exhibits dark colored foliage that maintains consistent coloring through fall, while ‘Tuscarora’ exhibits green colored foliage that becomes orange-red in color in the fall. Further, ‘JBG 19101’ has red colored flowers, while ‘Tuscarora’ has dark pink colored flowers.

The following traits distinguish ‘JBG 19101’ as a new and distinct cultivar from other Lagerstroemia varieties known to the breeder:

-   -   1. Primarily vase-shaped and large growth habit;     -   2. More upright and better branching;     -   3. Large and flat leaves; and     -   4. Improved Cercospora leaf spot and powdery mildew resistance.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographic images illustrate the new variety, with the colors being as nearly true as is possible with color illustrations of this type:

FIG. 1 illustrates a flowering plant of the new variety at approximately 5 years of age;

FIG. 2 illustrates flowering plants of the new variety at approximately 1 year of age;

FIG. 3 illustrates a young plant of the new variety at approximately 2 months of age; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a close-up view of a flowering plant of the new variety at approximately 1 year of age.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following detailed description sets forth the characteristics of the new variety at approximately 10 months of age. The plants were grown in 2 gallon containers in organic, artificial soil with a 9 month slow release fertilizer and overhead irrigation as needed. The color readings and measurements were taken indoors in Grand Saline, Tex. under fluorescent lighting and near the natural light of a window. Color references are primarily to The 1995 R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London, 3^(rd) Edition, except where general color terms are used.

PLANT

-   Time to initiate roots: About 10 days at an average of 26° C. -   Time to develop roots: About 15 days at an average of 26° C. -   Time to beginning of flowering: About 45 days at an average of 26°     C. -   Root description: Medium coarse, non-fibrous, and non-tap roots. -   Growth habit: Upright. -   Form: V-shaped, upright with vertical branching, taller than wide,     narrowing upward spread. -   Height: Approximately 1.0 m from the base of the pot to the top of     the plant. -   Diameter: Approximately 0.5 in at the widest part of the plant. -   Vigor: High. -   Specific disease/pest resistance: improved leaf spot (Cercospora     lythracearum and Xanthomonas sp.) and powdery mildew (Erysiphe sp.)     resistance. -   Heat/cold tolerance: USDA Zone 6. -   Drought tolerance: Observed. -   Lasting quality: Under proper care, the new variety could last over     a century. -   Main stem/trunk:     -   -   Height.—Approximately 0.8 m.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 1.3 cm.         -   Color.—200D.         -   Texture.—Smooth, with faintly textured.         -   Pubescence.—None present.         -   Form.—Erect. -   Branching habit: Vertical with narrow angles. -   Lateral branches:     -   -   Length.—From 0.3 m to 0.6 m.         -   Diameter.—From 0.6 cm to 1.0 cm, sometimes smaller.         -   Internode length.—From 3.2 cm to 14.0 cm.         -   Texture.—Smooth, with fewer lines than the trunk.         -   Pubescence.—None present.         -   Color.—Older branches are 200C, newer branches are 187B.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaves:     -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate.         -   Size.—Length: From 6.0 to 7.6 cm. Width: From 3.8 to 4.4 cm.         -   Shape.—Elliptical to ovate.         -   Apex.—Acute for younger leaves, apiculate for older leaves.         -   Base.—Gradually tapering/obtuse.         -   Texture.—Upper surface: Smooth. Lower surface: Slightly             textured.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Pubescence.—None present.         -   Color.—Young leaves: Upper surface: 183B. Lower surface:             183C. Mature leaves: Upper surface: 200A. Lower surface:             200B. -   Petiole:     -   -   Shape.—Round.         -   Length.—Approximately 1.6 mm.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 1.6 mm.         -   Color.—178A. -   Pedicel:     -   -   Length.—Approximately 0.8 cm.         -   Width.—Approximately 1.6 mm.         -   Color.—63A. -   Stipule:     -   -   Shape.—Seal like.         -   Length.—4.0 mm.         -   Diameter.—2.0 mm. -   Veins:     -   -   Type.—Pinnate, but veins do not always line up in the             center.         -   Color.—Upper surface: 187A. Lower surface: 184A. -   Bracts: Fused.

FLOWERS

-   Bud:     -   -   Shape.—Rounded and tapered.         -   Diameter.—8.0 mm.         -   Length.—7.0 mm.         -   Color.—187B. -   Flowering season: From mid-June to Mid-October in Grand Saline, Tex.     and Decatur, Ala. -   Flower:     -   -   Form.—Panicle clusters.         -   Type.—Rotate.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 3.8 cm.         -   Arrangement.—The petals extend from a star-shaped base with             6 points.         -   Lastingness.—2-3 days per flower.         -   Fragrance.—Slightly sweet. -   Spike:     -   -   Number of flowers per spike.—From 30-55.         -   Length.—Approximately 9.0 to 17.0 cm.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 4.5 to 14.5 cm. -   Corolla:     -   -   Form.—Actinomorphic.         -   Petals.—Number: 6. Length: 14.0 mm. Width: 12.0 mm. Shape:             Curved, with taller edges and a shallow center. Color: Upper             surface: 53C. Lower surface: 53D. -   Sepals:     -   -   Form.—6-fused.         -   Length.—6.0 mm.         -   Diameter.—4.0 mm.         -   Shape.—Each sepal s triangular and the fused sepals form a             star shape.         -   Apex.—Rounded.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens:     -   -   Number.—7 per flower.         -   Length.—22.0 mm.         -   Filament length.—20.0 mm.         -   Filament color.—51A.         -   Anthers.—Shape: Long and oval. Length: 2.0 mm. Color: 51A.         -   Pollen.—Amount: From 30/35 to prolific count. Color: 13B. -   Pistils:     -   -   Number.—1.         -   Length.—13.0 mm.         -   Style.—Length: 12.0 mm. Color: 56D.         -   Stigma.—Shape: Walnut. Color: 166C. Ovary color: 153D.

SEEDS

-   Seeds:     -   -   Production conditions.—Long, sunny days at temperatures of             29-38° C.         -   Size.—9.0 cm in diameter.         -   Color.—144A at the lower part, fading to 187B at the top. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Lagerstroemia plant, as is herein illustrated and described. 